Ready to choose your SOAR date? Look for a link to the SOAR Reservation System in your email.
Before making your reservation, you will need to:
- Pay your enrollment deposit to the Office of Admissions & Recruitment.
- Schedule your placement test(s). Failure to complete tests at least two weeks before attending SOAR may delay your ability to enroll in the upcoming semester’s courses.
Once you are eligible to make a SOAR reservation, a reminder email will be sent to the address provided on your application for admission. You will then be invited to visit the SOAR reservation system to select your date.
We do our best to accommodate SOAR attendees’ schedules. However, we cannot guarantee availability of all SOAR dates. If you cannot schedule a SOAR session due to extenuating circumstances, please contact our staff at soar@studentaffairs.wisc.edu or 608-262-4707.
Updating Your Reservation
To make changes or review your SOAR session details, please log into the SOAR Reservation System via the link in your email. Changes to SOAR reservations must be made at least two weeks prior to your SOAR date. Cancellations made less than one week before your SOAR date cannot be refunded.
Getting to SOAR
The following regional and international airports offer proximate access – as well as some options for additional bus travel – to and from campus:
- Dane County Regional Airport, Madison, WI – Approximately 20 minutes from campus
- General Mitchell International Airport ,Milwaukee, WI – Approximately 90 minutes from campus
- O’Hare International Airport, Chicago, IL – Approximately 2 hours from campus
- Midway International Airport, Chicago, IL – Approximately 2 hours from campus
- Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, Minneapolis, MN – Approximately 4 hours from campus
Whether you’re coming from the airport, out of state, or even within Madison, bus services are a great option to get you to campus.
- The City of Madison’s Metro Transit system operates routes between campus and the Greater Madison area, including Dane County Regional Airport.
- Badger Bus runs between campus and Mitchell International Airport with few stops along the way.
- Van Galder Bus runs between campus and O’Hare International Airport, Midway International Airport, Downtown Chicago, northern Illinois, and southern Wisconsin.
- MegaBus services many cities and is a great option for those traveling to and from Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- Greyhound Bus services many cities and states to and from campus.
Find additional information on bus travel here.
Public parking is available in paid garages on campus and throughout downtown Madison. You can also reserve parking ahead of your session by indicating a need for parking space when making your SOAR reservation. The $15-30 fee will be added to your reservation, and a gate code and parking instructions will be included in your confirmation packet.
You can find more information on planning your visit here. You can also reference the campus map.
Stay On Campus
Lowell Center (Only available for Summer SOAR Sessions)
Lowell Center, 610 Langdon St
608-262-5576 (Booking Available mid-April)
Wisconsin Union Hotel
Union South, 1308 W. Dayton St.
608-263-2600
The Fluno Center
601 University Avenue
1-877-773-5866
Stay in Madison
Discount for SOAR Families
Save 15-30% when you stay with our premier partners sponsoring the SOAR program.
DoubleTree by Hilton - Downtown Madison
The DoubleTree by Hilton - Downtown Madison is one block from the Kohl Center and a half-mile from campus, State Street, and the state capitol.
NCG Hospitality Hotels
With seven greater Madison area Hilton and Marriott hotels, North Central Group (NCG) hotels are conveniently located near all activities around campus.